bioware – PlayStation.Bloghttp://blog.us.playstation.com
Official PlayStation Blog for news and video updates on PS4, PS3, PSN, PS Vita, PSPSat, 10 Dec 2016 00:26:18 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.5.3http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-PS-Bug-32x32.jpgbioware – PlayStation.Bloghttp://blog.us.playstation.com
3232New Mass Effect Andromeda Trailer Marks N7 Dayhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/11/07/new-mass-effect-andromeda-trailer-marks-n7-day/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/11/07/new-mass-effect-andromeda-trailer-marks-n7-day/#commentsSat, 07 Nov 2015 17:00:38 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=165409My love of the Mass Effect series brought me to BioWare in 2012. I’ve connected to it on an emotional level I never thought possible with video games. I still recall the pivotal moments throughout the trilogy with fondness, and think about all the time I spent with the Normandy crew, laughing, crying, and saving the universe.

I remember the tingles I felt after becoming the first human Spectre. I remember the excitement of pursuing a romantic endeavor with Liara… then Miranda… then Tali (my Shepard broke a few hearts along the way, apparently). I remember fighting the human Reaper in a state of genuine panic. I remember “M4 (Part II)” by Faunts playing as the credits rolled, and I caught my breath. I remember leaking a few tears after my final goodbye with Garrus: “Go out there and give them hell. You were born to do this.” There’s no Shepard without Vakarian, after all.

If you’re a Mass Effect fan, there’s a good chance more than one of my memories puts a smile on your face. You’ve got plenty more of your own, no doubt, and that’s why N7 Day was created: a day each year for us to come together and share the stories, fan art, cosplay, and moments that touched our hearts.

This N7 Day, we invite you to be a part of the celebration by using the hash tag #N7Day. Now that you know my passion — what does Mass Effect mean to you?

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/11/07/new-mass-effect-andromeda-trailer-marks-n7-day/feed/17http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/MEA_E32015_gun.jpg3.97Community Manager, BioWare170Dragon Age: Inquisition Opens the Jaws of Hakkon Todayhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/05/26/dragon-age-inquisition-opens-the-jaws-of-hakkon-today/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/05/26/dragon-age-inquisition-opens-the-jaws-of-hakkon-today/#commentsTue, 26 May 2015 16:00:27 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=155574If you’re craving more single-player adventure in Thedas, look no further. Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon lands on PS4 and PS3 today. You’ve no doubt traveled many miles in the boots of your Inquisitor and waged war against demons, dragons, and all manner of elfroot. But there’s so much more to see and do.

Legend speaks of the last Inquisitor, who fought ages ago to save Ferelden from the wrath of an Avvar god. You are now called upon to do the same.

In this story, you uncover a lost chapter in the history of the Inquisition. Follow the path of the last Inquisitor to discover his final fate… and the powerful dragon he hunted. Your search for the truth will lead you to the mountains of southern Thedas, where you will meet the proud and powerful Avvar people. Earn their respect by helping to defeat an ancient cult in their midst—and save the lowlands from the destructive power that threatens their very existence.

Dragon Age: Inquisition – Jaws of Hakkon offers an engaging adventure full of quests in a vast, new location with even more alliances to forge. Download it today on PS4 and PS3.

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2015/05/26/dragon-age-inquisition-opens-the-jaws-of-hakkon-today/feed/83http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/dragon.jpg2.12Community Manager, BioWare830Dragon Age: Inquisition Out Today on PS4, PS3http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/18/dragon-age-inquisition-out-today-on-ps4-ps3/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/18/dragon-age-inquisition-out-today-on-ps4-ps3/#commentsTue, 18 Nov 2014 17:30:04 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=144613*Deep breath* After working with this team for the last two-and-a-half years, I've been looking forward to this day as much as you have. I saw the game for the first time back in November of 2012, and I remember how impressive it looked. I thought to myself, "If it looks this good now, what's it going to look like when it launches?" Well, that time has arrived, and I couldn't be more proud of what this team has accomplished.]]>Dragon Age: Inquisition is finally here! *Deep breath* After working with this team for the last two-and-a-half years, I’ve been looking forward to this day as much as you have. I saw the game for the first time back in November of 2012, and I remember how impressive it looked. I thought to myself, “If it looks this good now, what’s it going to look like when it launches?” Well, that time has arrived, and I couldn’t be more proud of what this team has accomplished.

Enough about me, let’s talk about you! Inquisition is a game completely shaped by the decisions you make. The world of Thedas has been plunged into darkness, and as leader of the Inquisition, putting an end to the chaos rests on your shoulders. Sounds like a heap of responsibility, right? Don’t worry, there is no “wrong” way to deal with the threat. However, your choices will have an impact on your path to restore order, so just a little something to keep in mind.

At the heart of Inquisition is a rich story, and along the way you’ll meet a cast of memorable characters. Will you choose to recruit all of them? Spend some quality time with your followers on the battlefield, and you’ll see how skilled they are in combat. Try different combinations of your followers to find a party that fits your play style.

TIP: If you love classic BioWare party banter, putting Sera and Vivienne together can often produce hilarious results. Just saying.

The world of Thedas is massive, which I can’t emphasize enough. Pause for a moment to admire that stunning view overlooking the Storm Coast, and something in the distance is bound to catch your eye. That’s the beauty of the game, really. There’s no shortage of areas to explore, and quests to complete.

TIP: Thedas can be a dangerous place, and you’re not alone out there. If you happen to see nugs fleeing from the mouth of a cave, there’s a strong chance something big and ugly is the reason why.

Enjoy, and see you in Thedas, Inquisitors.

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/18/dragon-age-inquisition-out-today-on-ps4-ps3/feed/27http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dragon.jpg3.61Community Manager, BioWare270A Video Guide to Dragon Age: Inquisitionhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/14/a-video-guide-to-dragon-age-inquisition/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/14/a-video-guide-to-dragon-age-inquisition/#commentsFri, 14 Nov 2014 17:32:13 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=144364Dragon Age: Inquisition is a huge game with vast lands to explore and many things to do. In fact, on my personal completionist playthrough, I logged 20 hours of game time discovering the world of Thedas before even completing the first major quest in the game! Yes, Inquisition is indeed massive.

It is also a game about choice, where the decisions you make will shape the world. As the Inquisitor, you lead the most influential force in all of Thedas. People will place their hope in you and turn to you to do what’s best to stop the threat that is destroying the world.

Of course, perhaps the most important decision you’ll make is determining what type of Inquisitor you will create. Will you be male or female? Will you be human, elf, dwarf, or Qunari? Which class will you play as?

Once you’ve created your Inquisitor and are ready to begin the adventure, you’re going to encounter some nasty enemies. As a matter of fact, you’ll be facing off against your first demon in the opening moments of the game. This is another opportunity to showcase how choice shapes your experience with the game.

Inquisition offers two different modes of combat: real-time and tactical. If you’re the type of player who likes to get up close and personal with your enemies, real-time combat allows you to run in with swords a-blazin’ (literally, if you’re using the Flames of the Inquisition weapons pack!).

If you prefer to go the more strategic route and survey the battlefield before engaging, tactical mode is sure to be of interest. In this mode, you can pause the game and use the Tactical Camera view to scout your enemies and issue commands to your party. You can stop and start time at your leisure, so if one strategy didn’t work, you can regroup and try something else.

The Inquisition is nearly upon us. Lead them or fall.

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/14/a-video-guide-to-dragon-age-inquisition/feed/17http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dragonageinquisition.jpg3.74Community Manager, BioWare170Dragon Age: Inquisition is Great for Newcomershttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/07/dragon-age-inquisition-is-great-for-newcomers/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/07/dragon-age-inquisition-is-great-for-newcomers/#commentsFri, 07 Nov 2014 15:00:21 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=143834Dragon Age: Inquisition, the latest chapter in BioWare’s sweeping fantasy saga, wastes no time beginning its urgent, world-splitting story. Truth be told, the developers have sewn a great amount of detail onto the main menu alone. Starting a new game catapults the idyllic scene of a snowy peace summit into utter devastation. And that’s just the menu.

For those who have followed previous chapters of Dragon Age, the story is dense and rich with lore. But when a seething, green portal opens in our world and welcomes in legions of demons, players have a straightforward cause to rally behind.

In Dragon Age: Inquisition, players follow the story of a survivor that emerges from this demonic blast (almost) unscathed. The site of the explosion had been host to a peace summit organized by Divine Justinia, who sought an end to the strife between mages and Templars. With those plans wholly awry, the main character — the Inquisitor — is tasked with upholding Justinia’s legacy and hunting down the demonic agents haunting the realm.

Despite the gravity of the situation and the massive cast of characters, Inquisition outlines clear goals and motives for all. It helps newcomers acclimate to the world, and learn about the warring powers over time. A thick codex also documents characters, locations, and legends for those who want to dive deeper into the lore of the Dragon Age universe.

In true BioWare form, Inquisition’s branching dialogue system lets players choose whether they want to wander into enriching conversations or cut the chatter short and get back to the action. How the player handles these situations will define not only the main character, but also that character’s relationship to his or her followers.

Battles in Inquisition place players in control of one character at a time. But they can switch to any hero in the party at will, issuing commands via a strategic, top-down view, and managing as much or as little as needed. Hit the touch pad, for example, and survey the surrounding terrain to organize attacks, assign spells, and send in melee heroes to begin the assault. Or command followers to stay behind while the Inquisitor stealthily approaches the opposition and takes down any unfortunate stragglers.

This system instills a tremendous amount of choice in players, outside of selecting the sex, race, and class of the hero. Organizing party strategies and then defeating foes on the field can involve moment-to-moment decision making, or a more casual approach for the less patient. Difficulty can be adjusted dynamically to accommodate more demanding players.

Inquisition ties three followers to the main hero in less than an hour, giving players control of a full party before the world has even opened up with its packed docket of quests. Strolling through wintery peaks and forests will quickly introduce players to villagers that need help, have requests, or are just victims of the wars raging throughout the realm. These quests can be undertaken or ignored at a player’s leisure, which again, highlights player choice and the freedom for newcomers to skim the shallows or dive deep into the content offered.

Outside of questing, one of the most enthralling aspects of Inquisition is just that: the Inquisition. Building an army, equipping it, and customizing strongholds showers players with options, breathing a sense of ownership into the conflict that makes every battle more personal. And when that customization extends from the hero herself to the whole damn Inquisition, players will feel a real connection with the struggle of Dragon Age: Inquisition — newcomers and veterans alike.

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2014/11/07/dragon-age-inquisition-is-great-for-newcomers/feed/37http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/dragonage.jpg4.25Senior Specialist, SIEA Social Media379Back to the Beginning: Bringing Mass Effect to PS3http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/12/05/back-to-the-beginning-bringing-mass-effect-to-ps3/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/12/05/back-to-the-beginning-bringing-mass-effect-to-ps3/#commentsWed, 05 Dec 2012 20:27:04 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=92399Mass Effect Trilogy for PlayStation 3, and today I’m honored to be able to write a post for PlayStation.Blog!
We began work on Mass Effect Trilogy in earnest last April, shortly after Mass Effect 3 had shipped. The trilogy was complete, but there was a slight complication — there were people who had missed out on one (or more) titles in the series. Clearly this included PS3 owners, who had never had the chance to play the original Mass Effect. Mass Effect Trilogy was a great opportunity to rectify that!
We partnered with Edge of Reality, an external team with whom we’ve worked on many previous projects.]]>

I’m Ryan Warden, the External Producer for Mass Effect Trilogy. I’ve been with BioWare for almost nine years now – lately I’ve been working to help bring you Mass Effect Trilogy for PlayStation 3, and today I’m honored to be able to write a post for PlayStation.Blog!

We began work on Mass Effect Trilogy in earnest last April, shortly after Mass Effect 3 had shipped. The trilogy was complete, but there was a slight complication — there were people who had missed out on one (or more) titles in the series. Clearly this included PS3 owners, who had never had the chance to play the original Mass Effect. Mass Effect Trilogy was a great opportunity to rectify that!

We partnered with Edge of Reality, an external team with whom we’ve worked on many previous projects. Edge of Reality has a deep understanding of how PS3 works, under the hood, so we thought the project would be a perfect fit. We had a huge head start because of the work we had done with Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3 for PS3, but we still wanted to maintain the look and feel – the classic experience – of the original Mass Effect.

“We got some huge gains in performance.”

We tinkered with the audio engine, and with the way that memory was allocated to various chunks of the game. We brought over some lighting and visual effects improvements from Mass Effect 2 and 3, and combined them with the original Mass Effect systems. In essence, we invited the Wu Tang Clan to a rap battle… and it paid off. We got some huge gains in performance – especially with regard to texture popping, which has been dramatically improved – yet we were still able to maintain the classic look and feel of the introduction to the Mass Effect universe.

At the end of my first playthrough during development, I saw a scene that had once been so familiar – the Normandy jumps to FTL, the screen fades to black, and That Song kicks in. I had sat through this scene countless times during the development of Mass Effect. Every single time, the delay-soaked guitar of Faunts’ “M4 Part II” put a grin on my face, just like the first time I saw it. I’m lucky that I got to relive the eight years of my life that I’ve spent working on the Mass Effect series. And now PS3 owners can experience the full trilogy for the first time.

You can finally create your Shepard at the beginning of Mass Effect, and bring that same character through the rest of the series. You can stand on the moon, drive the Mako across an asteroid, chase a rogue Spectre to the edges of the galaxy, and deliver right hooks to your heart’s content. Then you can pop the Mass Effect 2 disc in the tray.

I’m really proud of the work that the team has done to bring Mass Effect Trilogy to the PS3, and I can’t wait for you to play through the whole series. I hope you enjoy it!

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/12/05/back-to-the-beginning-bringing-mass-effect-to-ps3/feed/113http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/LEAD_ME.jpg4.36External Producer, Mass Effect Trilogy11329Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Out Later Todayhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/28/mass-effect-3-leviathan-dlc-out-later-today/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/28/mass-effect-3-leviathan-dlc-out-later-today/#commentsTue, 28 Aug 2012 15:01:05 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=83568BioWare team loves Commander Shepard as much as the fans do, so after we shipped Mass Effect 3, we were excited to start creating additional content that would expand on Shepard’s adventures during the Mass Effect 3 experience. Downloadable content gives us an opportunity to do just that— it gives us the chance to write new chapters that add to Shepard’s legacy without disrupting the consistency of the full game. We approach DLC differently depending on whether it's single player or multiplayer content, but with both, we aim to hit an extremely high quality bar to make sure the fans continue to get the full Mass Effect experience.
For multiplayer, we consider Mass Effect 3's offerings to be more of a service than a product you purchase. We always said that we wouldn’t do multiplayer in our games unless it was done properly, and supporting it fully well after launch is something we are committed to.]]>The BioWare team loves Commander Shepard as much as the fans do, so after we shipped Mass Effect 3, we were excited to start creating additional content that would expand on Shepard’s adventures during the Mass Effect 3 experience. Downloadable content gives us an opportunity to do just that— it gives us the chance to write new chapters that add to Shepard’s legacy without disrupting the consistency of the full game. We approach DLC differently depending on whether it’s single player or multiplayer content, but with both, we aim to hit an extremely high quality bar to make sure the fans continue to get the full Mass Effect experience.

For multiplayer, we consider Mass Effect 3’s offerings to be more of a service than a product you purchase. We always said that we wouldn’t do multiplayer in our games unless it was done properly, and supporting it fully well after launch is something we are committed to. The ideas behind Resurgence, Rebellion and Earth were simple: we want to keep the community engaged in our game, keep the content fresh, and most importantly, we want to foster a level of progression that is synonymous with Mass Effect. Fantasy fulfillment has always been something that is extremely important to us, even in multiplayer. Allowing players to do awesome things in the Mass Effect universe that work well outside of Commander Shepard’s narrative is important. Adding amazing new weapons like the Cerberus Harrier or classes like the N7 Shadow were all about that.

Of course, story-based DLC has always been a part of the Mass Effect pedigree. At BioWare, it’s part of our culture to create emotionally charged stories for our fans. We always aim to deliver an impactful narrative while offering the player’s choice. This is challenging, but it is also extremely rewarding for us. As mentioned before, when we shipped Mass Effect 3, we knew there were many opportunities within the universe for us to tell new stories. Mass Effect 3: From Ashes, our first single player DLC, is a great example of how we were able to visit a new era in the Mass Effect universe. From Ashes also allowed our fans to gain a new squad member with Javik, something that has become signature in our previous DLC packs.

And that’s why Mass Effect 3: Leviathan is so exciting for us! It gives us the chance to jump back into Commander Shepard’s story, and to continue exploring some of the themes that are important to the trilogy, including the origin of the Reapers. We wanted to make sure that we delivered content to the fans that was unlike anything we had ever done before. Leviathan is all about exploration and mystery. Players don’t know where the story will take them next, and they’re pushed to explore these new fantastic locations that they’ve never seen. In addition to these new worlds, Leviathan is full of great new characters that help Shepard unravel the mystery of Leviathan. Players get to interact with these characters through more than 2,000 new lines of recorded dialogue and dozens of new cinematic sequences. If it’s combat and gameplay that you’re after, Leviathan delivers on that too. Players will dive into an adventure that will challenge their abilities, and they’ll be given the chance to unlock two weapons previously only available to pre-order customers earlier this year.

We’re proud to bring Mass Effect 3: Leviathan to our fans. Grab it when it goes live on PSN later today, and let us know what you think!

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/28/mass-effect-3-leviathan-dlc-out-later-today/feed/30http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/7728497972_e03f62b260_b.jpg3.38Producer, Mass Effect Franchise302Mass Effect 3: Leviathan DLC Expands Reaper Mythologyhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/06/mass-effect-3-leviathan-dlc-expands-reaper-mythology/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/06/mass-effect-3-leviathan-dlc-expands-reaper-mythology/#commentsMon, 06 Aug 2012 21:42:32 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=81431Mass Effect 3’s first story-focused DLC, and in addition to introducing new characters, weapons, and combat challenges it promises to expand on what we know (and what we don’t) about the most feared beings in the universe -- the Reapers.
Set during ME3’s harrowing Reaper invasion, the expansion tasks Commander Shepard with tracking down an elusive entity that, according to legend, may wield the power to defeat a Reaper. Trouble is, nobody’s actually seen it.]]>

“Shepard’s story came to a close at the end of the game,” BioWare Producer Mike Gamble told the crowd at EA’s Summer Showcase last week. “But there are more stories we want to tell in the Mass Effect universe.” Leviathan is Mass Effect 3’s first story-focused DLC, and in addition to introducing new characters, weapons, and combat challenges it promises to expand on what we know (and what we don’t) about the most feared beings in the universe — the Reapers.

Set during ME3’s harrowing Reaper invasion, the expansion tasks Commander Shepard with tracking down an elusive entity that, according to legend, may wield the power to defeat a Reaper. Trouble is, nobody’s actually seen it. The story begins with an email directing you to the Citadel labs and one Dr. Bryson, director of the elite Task Force Aurora research group that investigates long-shot methods for halting the Reapers. The Protheans, it seems, were the first to suspect the Leviathan’s existence after they discovered a Reaper corpse centuries ago. This all bodes well for Shepard’s quest, but just as Bryson begins to pass along the key information, his lab assistant shoots him dead, mutters “the darkness cannot be breached,” and collapses. Was he indoctrinated? Is the Leviathan somehow responsible? There’s mystery afoot!

Shepard’s journey to pinpoint the Leviathan’s whereabouts will require quite a bit of detective work. As you pursue leads and uncover ancient artifacts, you’ll gradually home in on the Leviathan’s position in the distant reaches of the galaxy. Jumping forward in the story, BioWare demonstrated a rip-roaring combat sequence set after Shepard lands on a distant planet (nope, they wouldn’t share its name) suspected of housing the fearsome being. Perched on top of a derelict space vessel floating amidst an angry sea, you’ll fight off a savage Reaper landing party, even hopping into a nearby Triton mech suit to unleash heavy firepower when the going gets tough.

After clearing the deck, you’ll plunge into the frigid depths of the alien ocean in a spellbinding underwater sequence that reminded me of BioShock 2. In a Mass Effect first, you’ll explore the ocean floor from an immersive first-person perspective, firing off flares to illuminate your surroundings as unearthly jellyfish lazily drift by. Just as Shepard seemed to make an enlightening discovery, the BioWare representative abruptly quit the demo. Shazbot!

In addition to a lengthy new single-player chapter, Leviathan adds two potent new weapons: the pinpoint-precise AT-12 Raider shotgun and the devastating M-55 Argus combat rifle, plus at least one new weapon mod in the the Assault Rifle Omni-Blade. If that’s not enough, you can pick up the Firefight Pack on PSN tomorrow for $2 to score seven more guns for the single-player game.

Look for Mass Effect 3: Leviathan to to touch down on PSN later this summer for $9.99. Have questions? Leave them in the comments.

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/08/06/mass-effect-3-leviathan-dlc-expands-reaper-mythology/feed/36http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/LEAD_me3.jpg2.96Director, SIEA Social Media366Mass Effect 3: N7 Weekly Challenges Come to PSN This Weekendhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/27/mass-effect-3-n7-weekly-challenges-come-to-psn-this-weekend/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/27/mass-effect-3-n7-weekly-challenges-come-to-psn-this-weekend/#commentsFri, 27 Apr 2012 15:51:33 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=74689PRIORITY TRANSMISSION TO ALLIANCE SOLDIERS OF THE PLAYSTATION NETWORK: REINFORCEMENTS ARE COMING…
From: Admiral Steven Hackett, Citadel Allied Command
Re: Operation EXORCIST
Confidentiality Classification: XA-PRIME
Distribution: N7 Forces Only
Soldiers of the Milky Way –
By now it is no secret that the Reaper War has had its share of logistical SNAFUs. It is to the galaxy’s credit that, when we put out the call for volunteers, we were answered by individuals of every species from Citadel, Traverse, Terminus space, and most significantly for this operation, the PlayStation Network. Unfortunately, the diversity of equipment sources meant our allies ran into hardware and software incompatibilities.
]]>PRIORITY TRANSMISSION TO ALLIANCE SOLDIERS OF THE PLAYSTATION NETWORK: REINFORCEMENTS ARE COMING…

By now it is no secret that the Reaper War has had its share of logistical SNAFUs. It is to the galaxy’s credit that, when we put out the call for volunteers, we were answered by individuals of every species from Citadel, Traverse, Terminus space, and most significantly for this operation, the PlayStation Network. Unfortunately, the diversity of equipment sources meant our allies ran into hardware and software incompatibilities.

These brave men and women have been fighting beside you and, in doing so, have gone above and beyond normal duty. Because their units were not properly tracked, they fought without pay and sometimes without proper training, equipment, even rations. It is a mark of their character that these warriors of the PlayStation Network took the grave task set before us and stuck it out through sheer determination.

It is time to honor the service of the soldiers of the PlayStation Network. A volunteer task force has fabricated the necessary hardware and is rolling out compatibility software. When these installations are complete, these soldiers will benefit from being properly equipped and combat-ineffective troops will get off the bench. We’ll all have more comrades watching our backs, and we’re now watching theirs. Reinforcements are coming. Soldiers of the PlayStation Network: Welcome to the fight.

–Admiral Hackett

MAJOR MISSION UPDATE: Good news Spectres: Reinforcements are coming! Starting with Operation EXORCIST, N7 Weekend Challenges will extend to the PlayStation 3 platform. Operation EXORCIST begins today, April 27th at 6:00PM PST until April 30th at 5:00PM PST for all N7 Operators on the PlayStation Network. Please remember to set the “Upload Gameplay Feedback” setting to “On” in the online options to be able to participate in this N7 Operation.

When it comes to retrieving classified data, Cerberus has been beating the allied forces to the punch. New intelligence has tipped us off to one of their offensives, and it is time to give the N7 teams the payback they want.

Allied Goal: Kill 1,000,000 Cerberus Phantoms.Squad Goal: Survive until extraction on any map and any enemy on Gold difficulty.

Successful completion of the Allied Goal will grant all players a Victory Pack. Successful completion of the squad goal awards a Commendation Pack to all squadmates.

Play Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer on GOLD difficulty with two different goals: The first goal will be the overall objective for this operation between all Mass Effect 3 multiplayer matches (under the GOLD difficulty), which is otherwise known as the “Allied Goal.” In the case of Operation EXORCIST, the “Allied Goal” is to have all players kill a combined total of 1,000,000 Cerberus Phantoms over the course of the maneuver.

For the “Squad Goal” during Operation EXORCIST (as with all operations moving forward), players must simply survive the enemy onslaught on GOLD difficulty until a safe extraction can be made. That’s 10 waves of the most tenacious of enemy forces you’ll have to stave off, so this is something all forces must prepare for.

If you’re unsure you’re ready and you’re curious if you require additional training, all N7 operators are welcomed (and encouraged) to analyze the troops at your command. To let you do that outside of the battlefield, we’ve created a brand new feature for the BioWare Social Network: the Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Manifest.

The Mass Effect 3 Multiplayer Manifest will allow you to inspect your multiplayer avatars without having to boot up your copy of the game. In this new manifest, players will be able to view which characters, weapons, mods and consumables they’ve unlocked in MP, and what’s more, you’re able to compare your stats with your friends!

]]>http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/27/mass-effect-3-n7-weekly-challenges-come-to-psn-this-weekend/feed/32http://blog.us.playstation.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/image.jpg3.52Community Manager, Bioware320Mass Effect 3: Resurgence Pack Brings New Maps, Weapons, Characters April 10thhttp://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/06/mass-effect-3-resurgence-pack-brings-new-maps-weapons-characters-april-10th/
http://blog.us.playstation.com/2012/04/06/mass-effect-3-resurgence-pack-brings-new-maps-weapons-characters-april-10th/#commentsFri, 06 Apr 2012 17:54:07 +0000http://blog.us.playstation.com/?p=73219Mass Effect 3’s critically acclaimed multiplayer experience is almost here! The Resurgence Pack is coming to PSN on April 10th and with it, a host of new weapons, characters, maps and more. If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out all the action in our latest trailer.
With over 75 perfect review scores, Mass Effect 3 has been heralded as “The first true blockbuster game of the year,” by USA Today. This week the Resurgence Pack will dial up the action, and the best part? You can download it for no additional cost!
This new multiplayer pack will include two new maps, available immediately for play after downloading the pack: Firebase Condor and Firebase Hydra. Condor is a Turian warzone outpost and a crucial asset in the defense of their homeworld, Palaven. The cool thing about Condor is you can actually see the galactic war happen all around you. ]]>

The first expansion to Mass Effect 3’s critically acclaimed multiplayer experience is almost here! The Resurgence Pack is coming to PSN on April 10th and with it, a host of new weapons, characters, maps and more. If you haven’t had a chance yet, check out all the action in our latest trailer.

With over 75 perfect review scores, Mass Effect 3 has been heralded as “The first true blockbuster game of the year,” by USA Today. This week the Resurgence Pack will dial up the action, and the best part? You can download it for no additional cost!

This new multiplayer pack will include two new maps, available immediately for play after downloading the pack: Firebase Condor and Firebase Hydra. Condor is a Turian warzone outpost and a crucial asset in the defense of their homeworld, Palaven. The cool thing about Condor is you can actually see the galactic war happen all around you. Ships are taking off, Reapers are looming in the background, and in the distance Palaven is burning. Hydra is located on an abandoned Quarian colony that has since been converted to an enormous power station. Protecting both of these firebases is absolutely critical in the defense against the Reaper attack.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the pack is the new multiplayer characters. Each class will receive a new character that can be unlocked through the Reinforcement Pack system. With the Resurgence Pack we are also introducing two new races for players to choose: The Batarian and Geth. Have you ever wanted to swing your assault rifle like a baseball bat and club enemies? Then you will probably like the Batarians. Or maybe you want to take the subtle approach. Engage Hunter Mode, spot enemies through walls, and then cloak to flank them. Then the Geth Infiltrator is for you. In total there are 6 new characters for MP:

Asari Justicar Adept – By the code, you will annihilate your enemy. Use the new Biotic Sphere ability to protect your allies and unleash deadly biotic powers to rip the opposition apart.

Batarian Soldier – Get up close and personal with the Ballistic Blades and Blade Armor abilities. The Batarian Soldier is an expert at being on the front lines and pummeling the enemy into submission.

Geth Infiltrator – Ever cursed the Geth Hunter’s name? Well now you get to be one. Cloak, sneak up on enemies and scan them through walls with Hunter Mode. Or hang back and rain sniper fire from distance.

Batarian Sentinel – Trap enemies with the Submission Net then unleash on them when they are unprotected. As with other Sentinels the Batarian can use tech and biotic abilities, ensuring he is prepared for any situation

Geth Engineer – Drop a Geth Turret and keep the pressure on your foe, all the while resurging your team’s shields. The Geth Engineer is a great support and utility character, key to any squad’s success.

Krogan Battlemaster Vanguard – FOR TUCHANKA! You might find yourself yelling your best Krogan battlecry when you use the Biotic Charge ability. To help protect yourself in the heat of battle, activate the Biotic Barrier ability and become the ultimate Battlemaster.

What would a multiplayer expansion be without some awesome new guns to wield? Similar to the new characters, these weapons are unlocked via reinforcement packs. They are great compliments to the new characters.

Striker Assault Rifle – Developed by Krogans, this rifle fires deadly explosive rounds. Its rate of fire increases the longer the trigger is held. Great for suppressing fire and crowd control.

Geth Plasma SMG – Fully-automatic Geth submachine gun. Similar to the Striker Assault Rifle, this Geth SMG’s rate of fire ramps up the longer it’s fired. Make sure to equip an SMG Magazine Upgrade to unleash an unstoppable barrage of plasma.

The Resurgence Pack will also introduce new consumables as well, including the Strength Enhancer, Targeting VI, Shield Power Cell, and Stabilization Module.

So there you have it, that’s the Reinforcement Pack, it comes out April 10th and is available at no additional cost. Make sure you login and download it from PSN and take the war for Earth online with your friends.

In the meantime, make sure you follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook to get all the latest updates on Mass Effect 3. If you haven’t had a chance yet, check the Resurgence Pack trailer on our website.